U.S. patent application number 13/808733 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for building block.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wang Han Yap. Invention is credited to Wang Han Yap.
Application Number | 20130115849 13/808733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45441390 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130115849 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yap; Wang Han |
May 9, 2013 |
BUILDING BLOCK
Abstract
A building block as an integral unit and formed complete by a
single injection moulding process, having six faces with adjacent
faces substantially perpendicular to one another and with at least
two faces adapted to enable detachably interlocking engagement, by
interlocking means, with a similar face of another building block
or with one having similar conceptual design. Additionally the
walls of the building block have substantially similar and uniform
thickness. in a preferred embodiment, the building block (1) is
substantially cubical in shape and with any of the six faces
adapted to enable detachably interlocking engagement, by
interlocking means in the form of spigots (20) and suitably
positioned and matching sockets (21), with any of the faces of
another substantially similar building block (1) or with one
sharing substantially similar conceptual design. The building block
(1) comprises connected integral sloping walls (28) forming a
skeletal frame (5) and with the spigots (20) and the sockets (21)
extending outwards from the faces of appropriate said integral
sloping walls (28) and with said connected integral sloping walls
(28), said spigots (20) and said sockets (21) formed complete in a
single injection moulding process.
Inventors: |
Yap; Wang Han; (Tampin,
MY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yap; Wang Han |
Tampin |
|
MY |
|
|
Family ID: |
45441390 |
Appl. No.: |
13/808733 |
Filed: |
July 4, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 4, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/MY2011/000166 |
371 Date: |
January 7, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 9/00 20130101; A63H
33/086 20130101; A63H 33/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/128 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/08 20060101
A63H033/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 5, 2010 |
MY |
PI 2010003185 |
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A building block (1), substantially cubical in shape, having
six faces, said building block (1) comprises: a skeletal frame (5)
formed by connected integral sloping walls (28) of six hollow
pyramids (2) closed up onto each other, with the integral sloping
walls (28) defining six pyramid shaped cavities of the skeletal
frame (5) and with the external periphery of each substantially
square frame shaped base (28c) of the sloping walls (28) defining
the boundary of a face of said building block (1); and interlocking
means on at least two faces of the building block (1), the
interlocking means extending outwards from the appropriate said
integral sloping walls (28) to enable detachable interlocking
engagement by complementary interlocking means on a face of another
substantially similar building block (1) and with said integral
sloping walls (28) and said interlocking means being an integral
unit and formed complete by a single injection moulding
process.
16. A building block (1) as in claim 15 wherein said building block
(1) is made from resilient plastic material suitably adaptable for
injection moulding.
17. A building block (1) as in claim 15 wherein any of the six
faces are adapted to enable detachably interlocking engagement by
interlocking means with a face of another building block (1).
18. A building block (1) as in claim 15 wherein each face of said
building block (1) is arbitrarily sectioned into quarters and with
a first interlocking means at each of two diagonally opposite
quarters and a second interlocking means at each of the other two
diagonally opposite quarters, said first and said second
interlocking means being complementary interlocking means
19. A building block (1) as in claim 18 wherein the first
interlocking means is in the form of a spigot (20) while the second
interlocking means is in the form of a socket (21).
20. A building block (1) as in claim 19 wherein each spigot (20)
has a substantially annular cross-section with a top
circumferential rim (23) and with an outer edge (24) borders the
extremity of quarter of the face where said spigot (20) is present
and each socket (21) is shaped and suitably positioned at the face
to accept a corresponding spigot (20) and with said socket (21)
having a circumferential wall (25) and with a plurality of ribs
(26) in upright position on its internal face and an interference
fit effected between said spigot (20) and said socket (21) when the
outer wall of said spigot (20) comes in contact with the ribs
(26).
21. A building block (1) as in claim 20 wherein the thicknesses of
the walls of said building block (1) inclusive that of the integral
sloping walls (28) that form the skeletal frame (5), the spigots
(20) and the sockets (21) are substantially similar and
uniform.
22. A building block (1) as in claim 21 wherein the upright
distance `M` between the centres of the diagonally positioned
spigots (20) on the front face of a building block (1) is
substantially equal to the upright distance `K` between the centres
of the closest adjacent spigots (20) one each on the front faces of
two suitably interlocked building blocks (1).
23. A building block (1) as in claim 15 wherein center of the
skeletal frame (5) is a void and without material present.
24. A building block (1a, 1b) having six faces with adjacent faces
substantially perpendicular to one another, said building block
(1a, 1b) comprises: a skeletal frame (6) formed by connected
integral sloping walls (31, 32) of four hollow hip roofs (3) and
two spaced apart hollow pyramid (4) closed up onto each other, with
four of the adjoining integral sloping walls (32) defining one of
the two pyramid shaped cavities of the skeletal frame (6) and with
two each of the adjoining sloping walls (31, 32) defining one of
the four hip roof shaped cavities of the skeletal frame (6), with
the external periphery of each substantially square frame shaped
base (32c) of the four adjoining sloping walls (32) defining the
boundary of two of the faces of said building block (1a, 1b) and
with the external periphery of each of the substantially
rectangular frame shaped base (34) of two each of the adjoining
sloping walls (31, 32) defining the boundary of four of the faces
of said building block (1a, 1b); and interlocking means on at least
two faces of the building block (1a, 1b), the interlocking means
extending outwards from the appropriate said integral sloping walls
(31, 32) to enable detachable interlocking engagement by
complementary interlocking means on a similar face of another
substantially similar building block (1a, 1b) and with said
integral sloping walls (31, 32) and said interlocking means being
an integral unit and formed complete by a single injection moulding
process.
25. A building block (1a, 1b) as in claim 24 wherein said building
block (1a, 1b) is made from resilient plastic material suitably
adaptable for injection moulding.
26. A building block (1a, 1b) as in claim 24 wherein any of the six
faces are adapted to enable detachably interlocking engagement by
interlocking means with a face of another building block (1a,
1b).
27. A building block (1a, 1b) as in claim 24 wherein the
interlocking means comprises a first interlocking means and a
second interlocking means, said first and said second interlocking
means being complementary interlocking means, with said first and
second interlocking means positioned alternate to one another on
any of the faces of said building block (1a, 1b).
28. A building block (1a, 1b) as in claim 27 wherein said first
interlocking means is a spigot (20) and said second interlocking
means is a socket (21).
29. A building block (1a, 1b) as in claim 28 wherein the
thicknesses of the walls of said building block (1a, 1b) inclusive
that of the integral sloping walls (31, 32) forming the skeletal
frame (6), the spigots (20) and the sockets (21) are substantially
similar and uniform.
30. A building block (1) as in claim 24 wherein hip line of the
skeletal frame (6) is a void and without material present.
31. A building block (1) as in claim 17 wherein each face of said
building block (1) is arbitrarily sectioned into quarters and with
a first interlocking means at each of two diagonally opposite
quarters and a second interlocking means at each of the other two
diagonally opposite quarters, said first and said second
interlocking means being complementary interlocking means
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0001] Building blocks as education aid and construction toys for
children have been in existence for a long period of time. Very
common are building blocks each having a top face with protrusions
and a corresponding bottom receiving face. The building blocks are
coupled together by having the protrusions on the top face of a
lower positioned building block raised to fit onto the bottom
receiving face of another building block that is positioned above
or vice versa. Building blocks of this design are limited and less
versatile as said building blocks can only be interlocked in a
single direction.
[0002] Building block having multiple faces, specifically six
faces, for coupling to one another similar building block is also
available. Each of such building block is typically constructed
using multiple pieces that are joined together to form the complete
building block. In an example of such is a building block six
individual pieces represented the faces are joined together at
their edges to form the complete building block. Building blocks
constructed using multiple pieces are not so robust and they tend
to fall apart with frequent usage or rough handling. Manufacturing
such building blocks tend to be more costly as several moulding
processes are required to produce the multiple pieces in addition
to the extra labour needed to assemble said multiple pieces
together.
[0003] It is an objective of the present invention to present a
building block that is an integral unit and having the advantages
of simplicity, versatility and structural stability and does not
come apart with frequent usage or rough handling.
[0004] It is a further objective of the present invention to
present a building block that can be easily manufactured
specifically by a single injection moulding process, having
substantially similar and uniform wall thickness and without the
need of any subsequent assembly work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The building block of the present invention is an integral
unit formed complete by a single injection moulding process, having
six faces with adjacent faces substantially perpendicular to one
another and with at least two faces adapted to enable detachably
interlocking engagement, by interlocking means, with a similar face
of another building block having similar conceptual design.
[0006] In the first preferred embodiment, the building block is
substantially cubical in shape and with any of the six faces
adapted to enable detachably interlocking engagement by
interlocking means with any of the faces of another similar
building block. Interconnected integral sloping walls within the
building block collectively form the skeletal frame of said
building block. Each face of the building block is arbitrarily
sectioned into quarters and with a first interlocking means in two
diagonally opposite quarters and a second interlocking means in the
other two diagonally opposite quarters. The first interlocking
means and the second interlocking means are complementary
interlocking means with one adapted to detachably and cooperatively
fitted into the other. For illustration purposes, said first
interlocking means is in the form of a spigot while said second
interlocking means is in the form of a socket. The spigots and the
sockets extend outwards from the faces of appropriate integral
sloping walls of the building block. Each spigot has a
substantially annular cross-section while each socket has a
circumferential wall and a plurality of ribs positioned upright on
its internal face. Each socket is positioned and shaped to accept a
corresponding spigot and with an interference fit formed between
them when a face of a building block is interlocked to a face of
another similar building block. The building block of the present
invention is not restricted to that of the first preferred
embodiment as described above. The building block can exists in
various embodiments provided that the design concept is maintained
ie. the building block is an integral unit and formed complete by a
single injection moulding process, having six faces with at least
any two of said faces each adapted to enable detachably
interlocking engagement by similar interlocking means with a face
of a similar another building block or with one bearing similar
conceptual design.
[0007] The building block can be assembled with other similar
building blocks in a number of orientations. The walls of the
building block, inclusive of the spigots and the sockets have
substantially similar and uniform thickness for good injection
moulding practice. The building block is preferably made from
resilient plastic material that is suitably adaptable for injection
moulding and made complete by a single injection moulding process.
This feature of being made complete by a single injection moulding
process is distinctly different from building blocks of other
inventions wherein each such building block is made by assembling
more than one component together and with each of said component
made by a separate moulding process.
[0008] These and other features, advantages and objectives of the
present invention will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by the following specification, appended
drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a unit of the first preferred embodiment of the
building block of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 1A shows a unit of the second preferred embodiment of
the building block of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 1B shows a unit of the third preferred embodiment of
the building block of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a unit of building block of the first preferred
embodiment stacked onto and coupled to a similar building block
that is positioned below.
[0013] FIG. 2A shows section `X-X` of FIG. 2 showing the relative
positions of the spigots and the sockets when two building blocks
of the preferred embodiment are interlocked to one another.
[0014] FIG. 2B shows an example whereby a unit of building block of
the first preferred embodiment is stacked onto and coupled to two
similar building blocks that are positioned below.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates how six imaginary pyramids to be closed
up to one another to form the building block of the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3A illustrates how six imaginary components to be
closed up on one another to form the building block of the third
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows the skeletal frame, without the interlocking
means, of the building block of the first preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4A illustrates the skeletal frame, without the
interlocking means, of the second and third preferred embodiments
of the building block of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows the top view of a face of the building block of
the first preferred embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 5A shows an isometric view of part of the building
block of the first preferred embodiment that is also sectioned
along view `Y-Y` indicated in FIG. 5.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The building block of the present invention is an integral
unit formed complete by a single injection moulding process, having
six faces with adjacent faces substantially perpendicular to one
another and with at least two faces adapted to enable detachably
interlocking engagement, by interlocking means, with a similar face
of another building block or with one having similar conceptual
design.
[0022] In the first preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the
building block (1) is substantially cubical in shape and with any
of the six faces (with at least two of the six faces but preferably
with all six faces) adapted to enable detachably interlocking
engagement by interlocking means with any of the faces of another
similar building block (1) or with one having similar conceptual
design. To provide a clearer illustration of the building block (1)
of this embodiment, six imaginary and similar hollow pyramids (2)
are used as illustration. Each hollow pyramid has four sloping
walls (28) defined by four external surfaces (28a), four internal
surfaces (28b) and a base (28c) of substantially square frame
shaped, with the internal surfaces (28b) of the sloping walls (28)
defining a pyramid shaped cavity. Said building block (1) is akin
to having six imaginary and similar hollow pyramids (2), closed up
onto each other and with an external surface (28a) of a sloping
wall (28) of a pyramid (2) in full contact and merged with the
external surface (28b) of the adjacent sloping wall (28) of another
pyramid (2) to form integral sloping wall (28) and with the apexes
(30) of said pyramids (2), or the projections of such, collectively
meeting at a substantially common point. A view of the imaginary
pyramids (2), with interlocking means present at the faces, before
they close up onto each other is shown in FIG. 3. Each set of two
contacting adjacent external surfaces (28a) of the sloping walls
(28) of the pyramids (2) is merged and becomes effectively an
integral sloping wall (28). The outer periphery of the base (28c)
of the sloping walls (28) of each of the pyramids (2) defines the
boundary of each of the six faces of the building block (1). The
integral sloping walls (28) themselves are connected and
collectively form the skeletal frame (5) of the building block (1)
as shown in FIG. 4. The center of the skeletal frame (5) can be
designed as a void i.e. without material present with said void
created by suitable design of the injection mould. The interlocking
means at each face of the building block (I) extends outwards from
the faces of appropriate integral sloping walls (28) of the
skeletal frame (5). In the first preferred embodiment of the
building block (1), as shown in FIG. 1, each face of said building
block (1) is arbitrarily sectioned into four quarters and with a
first interlocking means present at two diagonally opposite
quarters and a second interlocking means present at the other two
diagonally opposite quarters. The first interlocking means and the
second interlocking means are complementary interlocking means with
one adapted to detachably and cooperatively fitted into the other.
In this embodiment, to facilitate explanation of the invention by
way of example which is not to be interpreted as limiting in
configurations, the first interlocking means is shown as a spigot
(20) while the second interlocking means is shown as a socket (21)
in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. At each face of the building block (1) the
spigots (20) and the sockets (21) extend outwards from the faces of
appropriate integral sloping walls (28) of the building block (1)
as indicated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A. It is important to note that a
main feature of the building block (1) of the present invention is
that the connected integral sloping walls (28) of the skeletal
frame (5) together with the spigots (20) and the sockets (21) are
formed complete in a single injection moulding process. Each spigot
(20) has a substantially annular cross-section and a top
circumferential rim (23). An outer edge (24) borders the extremity
of the quarter of the face of the building block (I) where a spigot
(20) is located, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A. The socket
(21) has circumferential wall (25) and a plurality of ribs (26)
positioned upright on its internal face as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5
and FIG. 5A. Each socket (21) is suitably positioned at the face of
the building block (1) and is shaped to accept a corresponding
spigot (20) and with an interference fit formed between them when a
face of a building block (1) is interlocked onto a face of another
similar building block (1) or with one having similar conceptual
design. Specifically an interference fit is effected between a
spigot (20) and a socket (21) when the outer wall of said spigot
(20) comes in contact with outer edges of the ribs (26). The height
of a spigot (20) above the outer edge (24) is equal to or less than
the height of the circumferential wall (25) of a socket (21) in
order that said spigot (20) does extend far into said socket (21)
so as to hit the integral sloping walls (28) when a building block
(1) is interlocked onto another. Additionally when a building block
(1) is suitably interlocked onto another similar building block
(1), or one having similar conceptual design, the outer edges (24)
of the quarters come in contact with the adjacent top edges of
circumferential walls (25) of the sockets (21) at the interlocked
faces of said building blocks (1).
[0023] The building block (1) can be assembled onto other similar
building blocks (1) in a number of orientations. FIG. 2 shows a
building block (1) assembled onto another similar building block
(1) that is positioned below. A sectional view showing how the
spigots (20) are fitted to the sockets (21) when a building block
(1) is interlocked to another is provided in FIG. 2A. Shown in FIG.
2B is a building block (1) assembled onto two similar building
blocks (1) that are positioned below. When viewed from the front
and for the building blocks (1) to be suitably interlocked the
upright distance `M` between the centres of the diagonally
positioned spigots (20) at the front face of a building block (1)
is substantially equal to the upright distance `K` between the
centres of the closest adjacent spigots (20) of two suitably
interlocked building blocks (1) i.e. one spigot (20) each at the
front faces of said interlocked building blocks (1), as indicated
in FIG. 2B. The number of ways that the building blocks (1) can be
assembled together is not limited by the examples provided as there
are numerous other ways to assemble said building blocks (1) in
order to form the desired structural designs.
[0024] The building block of the present invention is not
restricted to that of the first preferred embodiment as described
above. The building block can exists in various embodiments
provided that the design concept is maintained i.e. the building
block is an integral unit and formed complete by a single injection
moulding process, having six faces with at least any two of said
faces each adapted to enable detachably interlocking engagement,
with similar interlocking means, to a face of another similar
building block or with one bearing similar conceptual design.
[0025] Shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are two other embodiments of
the building block of the present invention. The first interlocking
means and the second interlocking means are complementary
interlocking means with one adapted to detachably and cooperatively
fitted into the other. In these embodiments, to facilitate
explanation of the invention which is not to be interpreted as
limiting in configurations, the first interlocking means is shown
as a spigot (20) while the second interlocking means is shown as a
socket (21) in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, The building block (1a) as
shown in FIG. 1A, the second preferred embodiment, has on each of
the four side faces a spigot (20) and a socket (21) both at the
same level and positioned side by side while each of the top and
bottom faces is sub-divided into four quarters and with a spigot
(20) at each diagonal opposite quarters and a socket (21) each at
each of the other opposite quarters. The building block (1b) as
shown in FIG. 1B, the third preferred embodiment, has four faces
with each said face having three spigots (20) and three sockets
(21) alternatively positioned with respect to one another and two
end faces with each said end face having two spigots (20) and two
sockets (21) also alternatively positioned with respect to one
another. The building block (1b) is akin to having two opposing
spaced apart hollow pyramids (4) and four hollow hip roofs (3)
closed up onto each other, as indicated in FIG. 3A., resulting in a
skeletal frame (6) having connected integral sloping walls (31, 32)
as indicated in FIG. 4A, Each hollow pyramid (4) has four sloping
walls (32) defined by four external surfaces (32a), four internal
surfaces (32b) and a substantially square frame shaped base (32c),
with the internal surfaces (32b) of the sloping walls (32) defining
a pyramid shaped cavity. The outer periphery of said base (32c)
defines the boundary of each of two faces of the building block
(1b). Each hollow hip roof (3) abuts two adjacent hollow hip roofs
(3). Each hollow hip roof (3) has four sloping walls (31, 32)
defined by two each of external surfaces (31a and 32a), two each of
internal surfaces (31b and 32b) and a substantially rectangular
frame shaped base (34), with the internal surfaces (31b, 32b)
defining a hip roof shaped cavity. The outer periphery of said base
(34) defines the boundary of each of the remaining four faces of
the building block (1b). The external surfaces (32a) of the sloping
walls (32) of each hollow pyramid (4) are in full contact and
merged with the external surfaces (32a) of the sloping walls (32)
of the four abutting hollow hip roofs (3) and become effectively
the integral sloping walls (32) of building block (1b). The two
external surfaces (31a) of the sloping walls of each hollow hip
roof (3) are in full contact and merged with the external surfaces
(31a) of the sloping walls (31a) of two abutting hollow hip roofs
(3) and become effectively the integral sloping walls (31) of
building block (1b). The interlocking means, which are the spigots
(20) and the sockets (21) in this case, at each face of the
building block (1b) extends outwards from the faces of appropriate
integral sloping walls (31, 32) of the skeletal frame (6). It is
important to note that a main feature of the building block (1b) of
the present invention is that the integral walls (31, 32) of the
skeletal frame (6) together with the interlocking means, in these
embodiments are shown as the spigots (20) and the sockets (21), are
formed complete in a single injection moulding process.
[0026] The building block (1) is preferably made from resilient
plastic material that is adaptable for the injection moulding
process. An important feature of the building block (1, 1a, 1b) of
the present invention is that said building block (1, 1a, 1b) is an
integral unit and formed complete by a single injection moulding
process. For the building block (1) of the first preferred
embodiment the integral unit mentioned is inclusive of the
connected integral sloping walls (28) that form the skeletal frame
(5), the spigots (20) and the sockets (21). Additionally the walls
of the building block (1), inclusive of the integral sloping walls
(28), the spigots (20) and the sockets (21) are designed to have
substantially similar and uniform thickness. The building blocks
(1, 1a, 1b) of the present invention, each as an integral unit and
formed complete by a single injection moulding process, is
distinctly different from building blocks of other inventions
whereby each building block of other inventions is made from more
than one component and with said components subsequently assembled
together to form said building block. Additionally for the other
inventions the components that are assembled to form the building
blocks may not necessary have similar and uniform wall
thickness,
[0027] The foregoing description is considered as illustration of
the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be restored to, falling within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *